Andrew Thomson – General Manager at COMO The Halkin London

COMO Hotels and Resorts properties are all individually designed to reflect their location and offer a high level of personal service in a very homely environment. In our exclusive interview with Andrew Thomson of COMO The Halkin London we reveal more about what makes the COMO brand so special.

Andrew Thomson – General Manager at COMO The Halkin London

Describe the COMO ethos; what makes the brand so special?

We stand for bespoke and personalised service, discreet luxury; we are neither formal nor informal in our approach. Every member of the team tries to add to the guest’s experience, from the food we serve to the recommendations we make during their stay.

Entrance at COMO The Halkin London

Each COMO Hotel and Resort is designed to reflect its location. How do you fit in?

COMO The Halkin manages to achieve a balance between easy downtime and efficient work. We are far enough from the busy London environment but only a stone’s throw away for those who want to indulge. Ours is a peaceful hotel that reflects the serenity of Hyde Park on our doorstep, but there’s also the excitement of having a great restaurant, which creates a natural buzz and pizzazz.

What do you love most about working at COMO The Halkin?

It sounds like a cliché but it is all about the people – our guests and the team. We have those who have stayed with us for many years and staff who have been employed since the hotel’s inception some 26 years ago.

Ours is a peaceful hotel that reflects the serenity of Hyde Park on our doorstep, but there’s also the excitement of having a great restaurant, which creates a natural buzz and pizzazz.

Give us one reason why our LuxuryBARED members should stay at COMO The Halkin

It would have to be the New Basque cuisine offered in Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, created by head chef Sergi Sanz Blanco. The restaurant is truly special, as Juan Mari and Elena Arzak’s first collaboration outside their three-starred Michelin restaurant based in San Sebastian, Spain.

And about the city… besides Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, of course, which is your favourite London restaurant for fine dining?

Simon Rogan’s Fera at Claridge’s is definitely worth a visit.

COMO The Halkin London

For a guest with just 24 hours in London, what would you recommend doing?

Put on some comfortable shoes and walk everywhere. At every corner you turn, you either see a world-famous landmark or discover a hidden gem.

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